It's time to train for the Litchfield Spring Duathlon. The event takes place in a little over a month and will benefit the Litchfield High School Girl's and Boy's Cross Country teams, which are not funded by the school district. The duathlon is a two mile run, 12 mile bike and another two mile run. Brian Quarton is a Family Physician in Carlinville and organizer of the duathlon.

There aren't a lot of things that we do in this day and age that really challenge us," Quarton said. "That when you stand on the starting line, to start this activity, that you're not sure if you're going to be able to do it or not. This is one of them - this is going to be a challenge, but it's very doable. Just come with a spirit ready to have fun and enjoy (yourself).

This year, an opportunity to meet professional triathlete Lisa Roberts, originally of Benld, will take place the night before the event.

She's a professional and she's extremely accomplished as a triathlete," Quarton said. "She was recently second at the Pan American Half Ironman Championships in Panama and she has been a runner up at other Ironman races numerous times. She's, again, from this area and was going to be back in town, so we are glad to kind of have like a meet and greet where the athletes can come and pick up their packets and friends and well wishers can also come out just to hear her speak and tell her story.

Early packet pickup begins at 6pm and the meet and greet at 7pm on Friday, March 25th, at the Holiday Inn Express in Litchfield. The race begins at 10am on Saturday, March 26th, at the Litchfield High School. For more information, or to register, go to the Active website. The race is sanctioned by the USA Triathlon Organization and sponsored by M&M Multisport Club, the Carlinville Family Practice Center and Bank and Trust in Litchfield.
Thomack 2/17/16